New this year, jersey curbs will protect crowds from traffic, police say

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Updated: 6:13 PM CDT Jun 7, 2017

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WEBVTT TV NEWSWATCH 7'S CAMILA ORTILIVE TONIGHT IN NORTH DOWNTOWN.CAMILLA?CAMILA: ROB, JULIE, IF YOU AREDRIVING BY, THEY'RE HARD TOMISS, MORE THAN 300 OF THESEHEAVY JERSEY CURBS BEING PLACEDALL AROUND THE BALLPARK TOPROTECT CROWDS FROM TRAFFIC.THIS WILL SOON BECOME HOMEBASEFOR CWS FANS.THIS YEAR, CLOUDS -- CROWDS AREGETTING ADDITIONAL PROTECTION,ABOUT 600 TONS WORTH.CITY CREWS SETTING UP HUNDREDSOF THESE CONCRETE BARRIERSAROUND TD AMERITRADE PARK INSPOTS WHERE POLICE SAY LARGEGROUPS GATHER.>> GROUPS WHERE PEOPLECONGREGATE GETTING READY TOCROSS THE ROAD, WE HAVE TO DO ALITTLE DETECTION.CAMILA: IT IS A RESPONSE TORECENT ATTACKS AROUND THE WORLD,TERRORISTS USING THEIR VEHICLESAS CROWDED WEAPONS.ALL IT WILL TAKE IS A VEHICLEKNOWING PEOPLE DOWN.WE CAN'T REACT QUICKLY TO THAT.CAMILA: THESE 4000 PLUS POUNDSLABS SHOULD DO THE TRICK.THE EFFORT, A COLLABORATIONBETWEEN MULTIPLE AGENCIES --NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF ROADSPROVIDING THE BARRIERS FREE OFCHARGE.>> THEY HAD MORE THAN ENOUGH ANDSAID, HELP YOURSELF, BASICALLY.CAMILA: ACROSS THE STREET AT THEDUGOUT APPAREL STORE, THE OWNERSEES IT ALL.>> WE HAVE SECURITY IN THE STOREAND POLICE.UNFORTUNATELY THAT HAPPENS.CAMILA: HE THINKS THE CURBS AREA GREAT IDEA.THERE IS NO REASON FOR IT NOTTO HAPPEN.CAMILA POLICE GOT THE IDEAAFTER SUCCESSFULLY TRYING THEMOUT FOR THE FIRST TIME AT THEBERKSHIRE HATHAWAY MEETING LASTMONTH.

City crews install concrete barriers for added security at CWS

New this year, jersey curbs will protect crowds from traffic, police say

College World Series fans will see an added security measure this year.

City crews are installing hundreds of concrete barriers, typically seen in road work zones, to protect crowds from vehicles on the roads.

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Omaha Police Capt. Adam Kyle says each jersey curb is 12 feet across and weighs more than 4,000 pounds. The city is using about 300 of them to surround heavily-populated areas during the tournament- spots where crowds of about 100 typically gather.

"Corners where people congregate, getting ready to cross the road," Kyle said, "we have to make sure we, just in case, do a little protection."

The effort is a response to recent attacks around the world, like in Berlin and London, where officials say terrorists used their vehicles as weapons in crowded areas.

"At the very least what it's going to prevent is a vehicle getting on to the sidewalk and then continually mowing people down where we can't react quickly to that," Kyle said.

The barriers will stop much more than a car, Kyle said, because they're being linked together with metal bars, making the unit much heavier and harder to move.

Omaha police officials say they got the idea to use the curbs as part of CWS security after using them successfully at the Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders Meeting for the first time in May.

"It was smooth as butter," Kyle said.

Several agencies are collaborating to make this possible. Kyle says the Nebraska Department of Roads is letting the city borrow the barriers for free.

"They had more than enough and they said help yourself, basically," Kyle said.

Across the street from Gate 1 at The Dugout apparel store, owner Rick Tokheim sees it all.

"We have to worry about theft, so we have security in the store and police," Tokheim said.

Tokheim thinks the jersey curbs are a great idea.

"There's no reason not to have it," Tokheim said.

Crews should be finished installing the barriers by the end of the week.

MECA officials released the following statement:

"In response to incidents around the world, we continue to enhance our security plans and procedures at both TD Ameritrade Park Omaha and CenturyLink Center Omaha. We are in constant conversation with law enforcement (from the federal to local level) and our event partners to talk about best practices for safety and security. We will continue to adjust our plans and procedures accordingly. The safety of our guests is always our top priority and we encourage fans to stay vigilant too. If they see anything suspicious, they should immediately tell a staff member or one of the many law enforcement officials present."